May 24, 2006

Ah Spring is finally here. That means work on the boat.  Last fall my small 5hp outboard 4 Stroke Merc was running rough.  I considered just taking it to a repair shop but decided it would be easier to replace the plug and see what happens. That thing weight 57lbs and I don't want to lift it off the stern,  Anyway this weekend I went to the marine store and bought 2 plugs (one for a backup) and some new fuel.  I took off the cowling and unscrewed the plug. It was Black and looked like I might have found the problem.  Anyway I screwed in the new plug and thought I would see if it would start.  Well, it had been all winter, so it took 3 pulls!  It sprang to life.  I eased in the choke and revved the engine and it roared!  I felt good.  Then, remembering that last fall the engine ran rough when it was under load. I had the bright idea to test it under load, a stroke of genius if I say so myself.  So I cinched up stern lines and slipped it into forward gear.  The water boiled and I boosted the power up.  More thrust and the water boiled off the stern.  I felt good.  But I thought I should let it run for a few minutes to see if my problem was really over or was the engine just happy with new plugs.  I glanced at my watch and sat back... one minute, so far so good, two minutes still running fine... then just before three minutes it sputters to a stop!  Then I figured I forgot to release the pressure release screw on the gas tank.  I open the seat hatch and check the screw.  I re-pump the hose and pull it to life again!  Same routine, slip into gear and rev it up!  Check my watch ... One minute so far so good! ... Two minutes, still purring like a kitten.  Then again just before 3 minutes it sputters to a stop.  Again I check the lines... re-pump the line and again, start the engine.  Same routine...at almost three minutes it stalls.  Now I am thinking long repair in an over worked repair shop.  I stop and check everything... then I realize the gas hose wasn't in the notch but was running over the lip of the compartment and when I sat on the seat it crimped the line, chocking the gas... It was finally fixed!  And except for the time I wasted checking and rechecking and rechecking and checking yet again, it was a good day...

Tomorrow I am heading down again to do some cleaning, all that winter dirt and the droppings from my friendly neighbor Blue Heron who thinks my boat is his private dinner table.

Then some serious sailing, OK, not serious, just some fun!